This ring, from the Belle Epoque Era ( c.1890-1915) and overlaps the Edwardian Time Period (c. 1901-1915), is the Gemologist’s jewelry favorite for the month of September. He admires the Edwardian craftsmanship with the suggestions of bows, flowers and garland, all created in platinum. The Belle Epoque Era includes three overlapping time periods: the Art Nouveau Era, the Arts & Crafts Era and the Edwardian Era. Wealth was abundant during this time period and the arts were thriving. Hollywood movie stars became the arbiter of elegance, taste, fashion and style.
This particular ring is presented with a center .70ct. Apx. European cut diamond with VS2 clarity and I-J color. The surrounding octagonal shaped setting is intricately milgrained which gives it a stunning appearance. The meticulously finessed mounting is filigreed, pierced and accented with approximately .05 carat total weight of diamonds and approximately .01 carat total weight of rich natural blue sapphires in marquise shapes. This diamond and sapphire antique engagement ring is an example of elegance at its best!
J34795
9.24.18
Founded in 1863, David Belais of the Belais Brothers created a new formula for the alternative to platinum. Platinum was a rare and expensive metal before it ultimately became banned from use because of the war effort. The white gold formula, after years of experimentation, was submitted to the patent office in October of 1918. The new alloy combination became so popular it was called “Belais metal” or 18K Belais. Considered one of the first manufacturers to use the white gold metal formula, Belais created magnificent, detailed rings, brooches and pendants during the Art Deco Era. Always a unique find, look for the Belais hallmark in the shank of a ring.
Here is a perfect example of a stunning diamond Belais antique engagement ring crafted in Belais 18K white gold. It features a .65ct. Apx. European Cut diamond with fabulous VS2 clarity and G color. Notice the detailed filigree, engraving and hallmark, 18K Belais, in the shank of the ring. Really beautiful!
J34749
8.16.18
S. Kirk & Son, a well-known manufacturer, first started as Silversmiths in 1815 with John Smith. As time passed, the Kirk Company began to manufacture fine jewelry between 1928-1938. Many of the records of this company have been lost from a tremendous fire so the dates are not certain.
Whitehouse Brothers, founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1898, specializes in die-struck rings, pendants and earrings. They are using original die-struck stamps to create engraved and filigreed jewelry assembled and finished by hand. Die striking at Whitehouse Brothers uses metal sheets to create “dies under many tons of pressure to shape and form rings, pendants and earrings”. The die striking process starts out with hand assembly by master craftsmen. The filigree designs are created using saws as small as a human hair. Each part of the jewelry item is assembled and then “filed, sanded and polished”. It is then made available to the diamond setter and engraver to complete the piece of art work you see as a ring, pendant or earring.
The older rings, such as the one pictured below is stamped “irid.plat”, which means that it is 90% platinum and 10% iridium alloy. The newer rings are marked “plat” for platinum. Both stampings are followed with the maker’s mark, a unique form of the letter W.
This wonderful Whitehouse Brothers ring is crafted in iridium platinum, as marked, in a step down design. The center diamond is approximately .47 carats with VS2 clarity and H color. Accenting diamond melee weighs .12 carats apx. total weight with VS1-VS2 clarity and G color. In addition, this original Whitehouse Brothers ring is hallmarked in the shank with the unique W for it’s maker’s mark. It also comes with a GIA certificate. This is a classic diamond antique engagement ring from the Art Deco era. It is a stunning once in a lifetime engagement ring!
J36984
8.24.18
The founders of Spark Creations were Eli and Beny Aviram, brothers who had a passion for creating elegant luxury jewelry items. Spark is known for their unique one-of-a-kind pieces. Over the last 35 years, they have followed seasonal trends making high-end jewelry with exceptional diamonds and gemstones.
Here is a fabulous example of a ring made by Spark. Crafted in 18 karat white gold, this Spark sapphire and diamond Estate engagement or fashion ring was created with approximately .96ct. apx. total weight of flawless modified round brilliant natural blue sapphires and approximately .45ct. apx. total weight of round brilliant diamonds with VS2/SI1 clarity and G/H color. The combination of the bold blue sapphires and bright, white diamonds make this a striking ring that is sure to be noticed. Eye catching!
J35287
8.8.18
Our gemologist, Graydon Gesner, studied in residence at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California and received his Graduate Gemologist degree. He evaluates every jewelry item that goes into our inventory and has a special interest in colored stones. He is knowledgeable, vibrant, articulate, and extremely interested in every facet of our business. He is an intrical part of Gesner Estate Jewelry and is a joy to work with every day.
This is one of Graydon’s favorite rings in our current inventory. It is an extraordinarily stunning sapphire and diamond engagement or fashion ring from the Art Deco era. The shape and design of this ring is distinctively of the time period and what makes it so unusual are the vivid blue unheated sapphires which include a 1.75ct. apx. in the center with approximately .40ct. total weight of accenting sapphires. The sapphires in this ring came out of the ground with this rich blue color which is rare as less than 1% are completely natural. In addition, this ring has approximately .75ct. apx. of European cut diamonds layered on the sides of the sapphires with VS2-SI1 clarity and F-G bright white color. This total package makes up a magnificent ring that any woman would be proud to wear!
J36940
7.31.18
Traub Manufacturing Company, c.1915, located in Detroit, Michigan became very well-known for their highly sought after engagement ring and wedding band line named Orange Blossom. This exclusive brand became extremely popular because of their unique and feminine designs which were crafted in platinum, 18 karat, and 14 karat gold. The company was sold in 1990 and the United States Orange Blossom molds were sadly destroyed.
A Canadian licensed manufacturing company, whose name is not readily available, had some of the original duplicate molds for production. In 2003, Martin Ross of Toronto purchased this Canadian Company and had, in the past, manufactured engagement rings from their original molds. The celebrated Orange Blossom engagement rings and wedding bands are highly desirable today because of their distinctive designs which are often hard to find.
This Orange Blossom engagement ring must have been a real crowd pleaser back in the early 1900’s. Die-struck and crafted in 18 karat white gold, this diamond Antique engagement ring features an approximate .35ct. European cut diamond with SI2 clarity and K color. Captivating!
J36882
7.10.18
Popular in the 18th century, the bruting of diamonds became available in the industry. As a result, diamond cutters began shaping Old Mine Cut diamonds by following the octahedral shape of the diamond crystal. The cutter then meticulously ground two diamonds together to complete the desired shape. After the shape was completed, a diamond polisher would polish the facets. Dimensions varied from stone to stone because of the odd shaped diamond rough and since they were completely crafted by hand, each Old Mine Cut has its own persona/personality. They have a square or rectangular shape, more like a cushion cut, whereas the European Cut diamond has a round shape. The Old Mine Cut Diamond was the predecessor of the European Cut Diamond and the modern Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds of today. The tables on these older cut diamonds are typically smaller with higher crown angles. Old mine cuts, like the European Cut diamonds, have open facets and a culet that is also faceted. Looking inside the diamond with a jeweler’s loupe, you will see what looks like a tiny circle in the center of the stone and that is the “open culet”.
Here is an exceptional example of an Old Mine Cut diamond in an Art Deco mounting. This sparkling diamond weighs approximately .71ct. with VS2 clarity and G color. Decorating this artistically designed and platinum die-struck mounting are .05ct. total weight of Single Cut diamonds with VS2-SI1 clarity and H color. Generously pierced, engraved and milgrained, this beautiful Antique Engagement ring is a stunning example of the Roaring 20’s.
Here is another example of a dazzling European Cut center diamond which weighs approximately 1.16ct. with VS1 clarity and K color. It is set in an elegant Art Deco hand engraved platinum mounting. It is embellished with approximately .05ct. total weight of Single Cut diamonds on the sides of the center stone. These diamonds have VS-SI clarity and H-I color. This gorgeous diamond Antique engagement ring is a must for those who want a classic and more traditional design.
J34194 – Example of the Old Mine Cut Diamond
J35378 – Example of the European Cut Diamond
7.6.18
